​This past weekend all the doulas of Two Hands Birth Services attended a Savvy Birth Pro Workshop which was developed by Evidence Based Birth. The workshop was taught by Cat LaPlante of Birth Freely Birth Services and was held at The Village in Haddonfield, NJ. The THBS doulas were excited to attend this private workshop Cat held just for us. We were excited for all the information and enjoyed being able to learn together and strengthen our bond as a doula co-op. This opportunity to attend this training and have access to all the information from the Evidence Based Birth website is truly tremendous and I know I am grateful. I always want to learn more so I can better serve the families that choose me to share their births but also to help change the culture of birth and build a more united community of birth workers.

Cat began the workshop talking about what is evidence based care, using a stool as a prop she showed that research, provider expertise and the pregnant person's values & preferences were the 3 legs of the stool. Each of these needed to be equal so that evidence based care was received. She further went on to say that everyone's goals and values would differ and everyone's care might look different. This is exactly what doulas preach, there is no one size fits all, only what fits you! We talked about the evidence practice gap in this country and the shortage of midwives in the U.S. It was really wonderful being educated by a fellow doula and being able to talk about birth in our own community during this workshop.

We then broke into 2 groups and took a little quiz on some statistics for birth in our area. I have to say that I am shocked at the stats for New Jersey and am grateful to live in a more friendly pocket but know that we really need to get out there to help improve these numbers, these families deserve better than what they are getting, not only in New Jersey and Pennsylvania but across the country. High cesarean rates, low VBAC rates, low percentage of pregnant people using midwives, low breastfeeding rates, this is so backwards. After all this depressing information Cat turned it around and offered us tickets out of the predicament we were in. Cat challenged us to choose the one ticket that was most important to us and gave us some ideas on how we might make change personally, in the community and in our country. My ticket was to change the culture of birth and I am excited to take that on!

I thoroughly enjoyed this workshop and hope that all pregnant families can take a Evidence Based Birth class or at the very least visit their website. As a pregnant person you owe it to yourself to be as educated as possible to achieve your best birth. Ask your care provider all the questions you need to get the best care for you and make sure the legs of your stool are equal. As birth workers we owe it to all the families we serve to educate them about all their options and talk with others about maternity care and what can be done so we can turn the page on routine care and fully embrace evidence based care.

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“If you don’t know your options, ​you don’t have any.” -Diana Korte

jessica Ruscetta

Jessica is wife, mother and doula currently converting a school bus into a tiny home and preparing to travel the country with her family. You can learn more about Jessica here or by following her journey on Facebook and Instagram as The Nomadic Doula.Jessica's passion for birth work runs deep and she hopes to visit birth workers all over the country in her travels.

This is a test of the birth platform that has been put before us today and we are the guinea pigs. Have you noticed in most movies, TV shows, artful depictions, or in your friends’ stories how you've been led to believe that birth is the most painful thing you will ever go through in your life? We've been set upon this path to believe that our bodies are not worthy, that they aren't a temple, that we shouldn't worship them for the amazing feat of creating and bringing forth a new life. Since Eve ate the apple we have all been condemned to suffer the consequences of that sin and therefore birth will be unbearable at best. Why are we painfully condemned while bringing forth life?

This also happens to be a great disservice to our daughters and sons when we speak about birth in a way that makes it scary. It's the same disservice our mothers did for us, setting the scene in a sterile hospital where everything seems to be done precisely and with a very specific purpose in mind. A lot of our mothers grew up not understanding their own bodies - lacking direction from their keepers (Mothers, grandmothers, aunts). We had all been led astray from physiological birth and learned not to question the hospital practices that are a “one size fits all” version, but who does that size fit? I find it hard to believe that my body will do as expected by medical professionals and perform the same in birth as my neighbors, friends, or even other woman that I am geographically separated from. How can we even compare when my hips are different than theirs, my genes are distinct, my level of pain is my own, and my background varies? Birth is not accomplished in a factory and plainly speaking we are not all from the same mold! I implore you to stand up against the demonizing of birth and realize that your body is amazing! You will find an ideal way to work through contractions. When you doubt yourself, realize you have surround yourself with positivity and others who know your capability. You yourself know your limits, and know when to push them- for a new mother, a mother who has yet to have a vaginal birth, or a mother with 5 kids this can be uncharted territory and as such you should get yourself a map. Find others who support your birth choices, others who had similar circumstances as your own and hold the same truths in life. Get a fabulous Doula!!!! (Of course I would say that! duh!) Most of all - Believe in yourself! You know what’s right for you, if that’s praying, chanting, positive affirmations, singing, running- do it- and prepare for a life changing experience!

brandi Robertson

Brandi has a passion for everything birth and loves to share her personal birth stories with other mommas. The births of her own two children solidified the desire to empower families everywhere to believe in themselves to have the best birth for them. You can read more about Brandi here.

As a first time mom we all wonder how labor will start. Will it be like on t.v. where all of a sudden I will be doubled over in the worst pain of my life? Will I have an unexpected gush from between my legs while I’m shopping at target (Clean up aisle 4 anyone??)? Is it going to be unbearable where even if I planned for a natural birth I will immediately be requesting an epidural? How will my husband react- do I have a cool calm and collected partner or will he fly off the handle grabbing things as we rush out of the house headed for the hospital? Will I even be going to the hospital? Will I make it to the hospital? Should I just google, “How to remove amniotic fluid from fabric?” now? How will I know what it feels like? Will I see my mucus plug? Do I need to check the toilet paper every time, what if I miss it? Did I choose the right care provider? Do I even like them- what if I change my mind while I’m in labor? I have barely scratched the surface of the amount of questions a new mom asks when she is in the final countdown to the big day- which of course will be on her due date because that is how we expect it to be, right? There are so many unknowns and if we allow them to take over they can scare us during labor. The fear of the unknown is a basic and carnal fear that takes us back to childhood- wondering what was really down in the basement or under the bed--and birth is no different. Our fight or flight response takes over and we try and figure out if this is a good and safe place to give birth. With all of these questions spinning around in our heads how can we possibly slow down to focus on the task at hand- getting this baby out?Finally, a calm voice comes in through all the static that has been created by your mind. A source of relief washes over you as someone with experience in birth lets you know that all is good and your body is doing exactly as it needs to - aiding in the descent and eventual birth of your baby. This voice can come from many places, one being a doula who is well versed in birth and with a plethora of ideas, training, and knowledge on how to move with your body and baby as they work together in labor. There is so much more than just centimeters dilated to when your body is ready to deliver this precious bundle earthside and as a birth doula I’m here to prepare you for what is to come, let you know that you are not alone (Not even CLOSE), and to hold the space for you and your growing family. I will do my best to answer as many questions as possible and to get you good information on the things in your life that are about to change drastically, but the one thing I do not want you to feel is alone.

Your steadfast doula :)

Brandi robertson

Brandi is a proud momma to 2 beautiful children, a birth doula and active duty military. She has traveled and lived all over the world including Japan!. When she is not supporting mommas in birth and bothering pregnant mommas at Starbucks she enjoys knitting and the occasional glass of wine. You can read more about Brandi here.

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